Tannins Levels in Tea

[Deleted User #2177]

Haven't been feeling that great lately, so I was sitting at home reading some things on the Internet and was wondering about the tannin levels in tea. I've also been drinking a lot of green tea lately which is supposedly has a high tannin content.

Tea

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an example of a plant with a naturally high tannin content. Green tea leaves are unquestionably a major plant source of tannins, as they not only contain the tannic and gallic acid groups, but also a proanthocyanidin (a type of flavanol) named prodelphinidin. When any type of tea leaf is steeped in hot water for an excessively long time period it brews a "tart" (astringent) flavor that is characteristic of tannins (and other components). New varieties of Camellia sinensis have been specifically bred for a lower tannin content. If ingested in excessive quantities, tannins inhibit the absorption of minerals such as iron into the body. This is because tannins are metal ion chelators, and tannin-chelated metal ions are not bioavailable.

This is from Wikipedia, with the full article being here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannin . So, the last part stuck out to me, is it true and what exactly qualifies as "excessive quantities"? I've been drinking a lot of flavored green teas lately and letting them over-steep (more from rushing around than on purpose), but the flavors prevent the tea from getting bitter, so it never bothered me.

Any chance I could be consuming excessive quantities of tannin that are inhibiting the absorption of minerals in my body?

Cheers,

Mike

[keelyn]

This site seems to think 5 cups of green tea contains too much tannin. If that's true, maybe you are preventing some absorbtion of minerals. Using supplements/vitamins might help though.

[mamawama]

My teeth were really starting to turn brown, like I'd never seen. But the rembrandt whitening toothpaste cleaned it up in about 2 weeks, and I'm still using it.

[sjschen]

Tannins also coagulate proteins and deactivates digestive enzymes if consumed in large quantities. Maybe this is why people who over-quaff teas lose weight or wear off their stomach linings

[deadfingers]

Tannins also coagulate proteins and deactivates digestive enzymes if consumed in large quantities. Maybe this is why people who over-quaff teas lose weight or wear off their stomach linings

What does that mean? I noticed it said "coagulate proteins", would that mean that muscle would start to decrease? I am big into lifting and such and would hate to have this sort of side effect from drinking tea.

[sjschen]

What does that mean? I noticed it said "coagulate proteins", would that mean that muscle would start to decrease? I am big into lifting and such and would hate to have this sort of side effect from drinking tea.

Not sure if the bigger tannins reach you bloodstream. Some cathechin and their byproducts might, but I'm not sure if they do so in large enough quantities to coagulate proteins, which would be very very bad and far beyond just attacking muscle tissue. My understanding is most tannins are eliminated in feces binding fats and proteins such that they are undigested.

[mamawama]

even trying! yup, about 15-20 pounds in the past 6 months. Very interesting. I'm pleased with the weight loss though. I've been wanting these last pounds to come off for about 20 years, so it's worth it to me. I will probably ease into less tea in another 5-10 pounds. Have others found this kind of weight loss? If so, which kind of tea specifically are you drinking? Thanks!

[sjschen]

even trying! yup, about 15-20 pounds in the past 6 months. Very interesting. I'm pleased with the weight loss though. I've been wanting these last pounds to come off for about 20 years, so it's worth it to me. I will probably ease into less tea in another 5-10 pounds. Have others found this kind of weight loss? If so, which kind of tea specifically are you drinking? Thanks!

Hmmm...never noticed actually. Tell, the truth I find it's kinda a waste of food since you don't get to absorb all the nutrients, calories or otherwise, that you ingest.

I cherish my calories